Stamford is the major exception, continuing into the 13th century.Middle Saxon pottery in East Anglia and Northumbria was made on a slow wheel, but elsewhere in Britain it was still handmade.Firing was a slow process to raise the temperature gradually to 1000°C. Few workshops have been excavated, but most consist of buildings and sheds which were probably used to store the raw materials and leather-hard pots, as well as a manufacturing area.The same basic techniques were used and the same types of vessel were produced in different areas, but the pottery has a regional character.Inclusions in the pottery, to prevent shrinkage in the kiln, vary between geological regions.

Also, specialized antler and bone tools and stamps were used to decorate pottery, and a few of these have been found.Early Saxon pottery (5th to 7th century) was handmade, often locally produced and fired in clamps or bonfires.Forms produced included simple cooking pots and bowls, lamps and highly decorated 'urns' with incised lines and stamps in panels.Highly decorated tableware, including fine red and whitewares, were available during the Early Roman period.Imported wares, such as fine red samian from Gaul, were popular, and wheelmade pottery was manufactured in Britain.